Self contained lubricant dispenser

ABSTRACT

An integrated design for dispensing lubricants and similar fluids from bulk containers incorporates a dispense valve ( 8 ), a meter ( 1 ), a hose ( 7 ), a DC powered electric pump ( 2 ), power cord ( 18 ) and adjustable fluid suction tube ( 5 ), all packaged in one portable unit The unit is capable of dispensing fluids such as standard SAE grade automotive motor oils, automatic transmission fluid, gear lube, hydraulic oil and engine coolant (antifreeze) The pump motor will shut down at completion of dispense; and emergency shut-off to be provided.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Application Ser. No.60/412,530, filed Sep. 20, 2002.

BACKGROUND ART

While larger vehicle maintenance and service facilities have a number ofoptions for automated metered dispensing of fluids, smaller facilitiesperforming relatively few daily oil changes (e.g. 5) have less choice.In such applications, lubricants may be dispensed by (1) pouring fromquart/liter containers; (2) hand pumping from a bulk container; or (3)filling a bucket or other container with the desired quantity oflubricant and then pouring from that container into the vehicle.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a portableintegrated oil dispensing unit primarily for use in auto repair shopsand low volume service stations where low volume, infrequent fluiddispense is desired.

Towards this end, the integrated design incorporates a dispense valve, ameter, a hose, an AC powered (plug it into a normal wall socket)electric pump, power cord and adjustable fluid suction tube, allpackaged in one portable unit. The unit is capable of dispensing fluidssuch as standard SAE grade automotive motor oils, automatic transmissionfluid (ATF), gear lube, hydraulic oil and engine coolant (antifreeze)The pump motor will shut down at completion of dispense; and emergencyshut-off can be provided

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will appear morefully from the following description made in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings wherein like reference characters refer to thesame or similar parts throughout the several views.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the lubricant dispenser of the instantinvention.

FIG. 2 is a view of the lubricant dispenser of the preferred embodimentof the instant invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The instant invention, generally designated 10, is comprised of a flowmeter 1 in conjunction with a pump 2. In the preferred embodiment, thesetwo elements are combined wherein pump 2 is of the gerotor type and theflow meter 1 is formed by locating a Hall Effect sensor 2 a in thegerotor housing so as to count the pulses generated by movement of thegerotor teeth due to fluid flow therethrough.

A DC motor 3 drives pump 2 through a gearbox 12 to reduce the rpm level.In the preferred embodiment, the motor 3 runs at 20,000 RPM and isgeared down to around 600 rpm to yield a flow rate of around 1.5 gallonsper minute. Dispenser 10 is designed for mounting on a bulk fluidcontainer 4 and has a suction tube 5 depending downwardly into container4. A portable base 6 may be provided.

Dispensing hose 7 leads to dispense valve 8 which has a display 8 athereon to indicate the amount dispensed. Dispense valve 8 is providedwith a non-drip nozzle 14 which requires a pressure of about 20 psi inorder to open and provide fluid flow. Dispense valve 8 also has atrigger 8 b which is an electrical switch rather than a mechanical valveand communicates with control 16 either via a wireless link or throughone or more wires 7A incorporated into hose 7. A hose reel 11 or hoserack (for winding up hose) is desirably incorporated into the unit 10.Flow meter 1 transmits volume dispense information to display 8 a eithervia a wireless link or through one or more wires 7A incorporated intohose 7.

For operation, all the operator need do is insert suction tube 5 intocontainer 4 and place unit 10 on top of container 4. After plugging inthe unit, it is ready to dispense. The unit first has to be primed, thatis, by opening the dispense valve 8 until fluid flows from valve 8. Atthat point, flow meter 1 will read the amount dispensed. The flowmeter/display combination and associated control electronics are alsocapable of performing preset dispense, that is, a desired amount (e.g. 5quarts) is designated by the operator and the unit ceases dispensingwhen that amount has been dispensed.

It is contemplated that various changes and modifications may be made tothe lubricant dispenser without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention as defined by the following claims.

1. A dispenser for dispensing lubricants and the like from a bulkcontainer, said dispenser comprising: a motor; a pump driven by saidmotor; a flow meter incorporated into said pump; a suction tubedepending into said bulk container from said pump; a dispense valve; anda dispense hose connecting said pump and said dispense valve.
 2. Thedispenser of claim 1 further comprising a display on said dispense valvefor the amount of fluid dispensed, said display being in communicationwith said flow meter.
 3. The dispenser of claim 1 further comprising ahose storage device.
 4. The dispenser of claim 3 wherein said hosestorage device is a hose reel.
 5. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein saiddispense valve comprises a valve requiring a predetermined fluidpressure to open.
 6. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein said dispensevalve communicates with said flow meter through said dispense hose. 7.The dispenser of claim 1 wherein said dispense valve communicates withsaid flow meter through a wireless link.
 8. The dispenser of claim 1wherein said pump is a gerotor.